Christopher John Joannou (born 10 November 1979) is a Greek Australian of Macedonian Heritage[1] musician, best known as the bass player for the successful alternative rock band Silverchair. His real name is Christophoros John Joannou and he was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, he has a twin sister and an older sister. He has a nephew and two nieces. He was the first of the three band members to cut his long hair short. Joannou was nicknamed 'Lumberjack' by Silverchair fans for his love of trees, and plaid shirts. Chris' bandmate Ben taught him how to play bass guitar, making him the only Band member who did not know how to play an instrument.

He has used mainly G&L and Fender Precision Basses, and almost exclusively uses Ampeg B-15 Portaflex combos. As reported to gearwire.com, Joannou uses an Ampeg SVT-2 into and Ampeg 810 cabinet and a new Ampeg B15 combo in his live set-up.

In 2006 Joannou spoke at the launch of a mental health scholarship set up to honor his cousin Nathan Trepezanov who had committed suicide at the age of 21 in January.[2]

Joannou is a co-founder and co-owner of the Beer company Lovells Lager.[3] He is also one of four businessmen who will open a bar and small entertainment venue on Parry Street in the West End of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Current plans are for doors to open in December 2013.[4]